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The Sheaf I made this song for a Christmas song contest on a local forum. Although I made it in a big hurry to meet the deadline, it still received couple of "best" votes. Now I have had more time and the English version is more "finished". The song is about importance of feeding birds in winter. I just noticed that today is National Bird Day in US, so what could be a better day to release it  Quite simple arrangement, I really like that songwriter guitar - it really creates a beautiful mood for the song. RealDrums: ShakerAndTambourine RealTracks: #908 Bass Electric SmoothBallad Ev16 065 #1542 Piano Acoustic Rhythm PopBelieve Ev16 #3068 Guitar Acoustic Fingerpicking Songwriter #3700 Guitar Acoustic Soloist SlackKeyBallad Ev 085 #3064 Vocal Oohs Rhythm Pop3-PartEv 085 #1543 Synth Pad PopBelieve EV16 065 MIDI Melody: VST Voices of Gaia Vocals by me Mixed in Cakewalk by BandLab Lyrics: Harsh winter froze the fruitful ground even the smallest snacks are gone, seeds to peck can't be found most birds flew south, you chose to stay with grain and nuts I fill your tray. Yellowhammer, you have found a moment of relief you enjoy the small oat grain under shelter of the sheaf you start to preen your feathers ruffled in the snowy drift you accept with gratitude the gracious gift. This cold sweep of the Arctic breath engulfs the young and weak and whirls by the frost peaks of death seek salvage from my sheaf and bite then struggle through the coming night. Yellowhammer... --------------- Janne
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An interesting song. It's good to be reminded how hard it can be for wildlife to survive in those extreme latitudes. I agree with your comment about the guitar - it sets the tone beautifully.
ProTools; Ableton Live Lite; Reaper Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 MK4 interface Novation Launchkey 61 Mk4 midi controller
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Janne
Very pretty song. Really nice chord progressions and the backing is lovely.
Interesting use of the female vocal track and nice segue into the guitar solo.
Well done.
Peter
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Interesting intro Janne! The song definitely has a holiday feel to it! It sounds really good when that double tracked lead vocal kicks in! Cool melody in the chorus! Thanks, Torrey
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I'm a big bird fan. Actually I'm a fan of all animals, so I don't eat them. I really appreciate your song and its insight into the struggles of a small bird. The lyrics were excellent. Really nice work here, congratulations on winning 'best of' votes in your contest.
Windows 11, Intel Core I5 10400, 16 gig ram, Scarlett 2i2, Sony Acid Music Studio 10, BIAB 2020 UltraPlus Pak
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PeterF took my words! Pretty song, nice harmonies.
Good write, too.
-- David Cuny My virtual singer development blogVocal control, you say. Never heard of it. Is that some kind of ProTools thing?BiaB 2025 | Windows 11 | Reaper | Way too many VSTis.
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The double vocal section is REALLY nice. Important narrative though I think "gracious" isn't quite word needed. Lovely backing.
Cheers rayc "What's so funny about peace, love & understanding?" - N.Lowe
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Oh, yes, totally agree with you on that songwriter guitar, Janne. This song, too, is very inspirational. A great Christmas idea --and posted on National Bird Day in US. Man, that synth voice comes in nicely as the Theremin on the Star Trek Theme. Yes, a beautiful song indeed.
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An interesting song. It's good to be reminded how hard it can be for wildlife to survive in those extreme latitudes. I agree with your comment about the guitar - it sets the tone beautifully. Thanks Ghostgum for your kind comment  It is sad that we have to help wildlife, we have destroyed their living conditions that is more than fair to pay something back. Janne
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Very pretty song. Really nice chord progressions and the backing is lovely.
Interesting use of the female vocal track and nice segue into the guitar solo.
Well done.
Peter Thanks Peter, I appreciate your kind words  Glad you liked the chord progression. Janne
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Janne, Interesting tune and theme. Neat instrumental bed, slightly unusual, but works well. Good lyrics and of course signature phrasing. Cool female vocal parts. Thank you for sharing.
Misha.
P.S. when I was in school, it was a graded requirement, to build bird houses. First grades made them out of milk cartons, higher grades out of wood. Where I live now, you can't put one up in summer, because mr.bear will come, but my wife usually buys a bag of seeds for the winter.
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Hi Janne,
This is a really nice touching song about that bird. Very nice nylon guitar(s) during the song, but especially in the intro. The high voice did very well in it, although a bit unexpected. The rustling of the birds feathers was cool and (a bit) expected.
I read Misha's post on the birdhouses and mr. Bear. Here I have 3 birdhouses, but also 3 cats. Maybe more dangerous than a bear? But back to the song: as I said Touching!
Hans
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Interesting intro Janne! The song definitely has a holiday feel to it! It sounds really good when that double tracked lead vocal kicks in! Cool melody in the chorus! Thanks, Torrey Thanks Torrey for your positive feedback  Original lyrics had a Christmas reference, but I tried to write this version so that it can be played also outside holiday season. Yet, the message is about sharing, so in this sense (and also winter, in the north) giving gifts is present. Janne
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What a lovely, laid back song and very nice melody and like you, we really like those guitars. I (Janice) was watching some chickadees and nuthatches at our birdfeeder the first time I listened to this.  Congratulations on the "best of" votes. As fellow bird lovers we appreciate the sentiment in the lyric. The mix sounds great on our KRK monitors. Again, we both enjoyed this! J&B
Our albums and singles are on Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, YouTube Music, Pandora and more. If interested search on Janice Merritt. Thanks! Our Videos are here on our website.
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Love the guitars! Great choice there, sets the mood right from the intro.
Nice melody too.
Good song, Janne, well done.
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Sounds great, Janne! 
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I'm a big bird fan. Actually I'm a fan of all animals, so I don't eat them. I really appreciate your song and its insight into the struggles of a small bird. The lyrics were excellent. Really nice work here, congratulations on winning 'best of' votes in your contest. Thanks TuneMonger, I'm very glad to hear that you are fan of birds and animals. They teach us many things about life, earth and everything  And thanks for the very heartwarming comment, especially about lyrics. Janne
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PeterF took my words! Pretty song, nice harmonies.
Good write, too. Thanks David for your positive feedback  I wouldn't call voice doubling harmony, but I wish I had time to write real harmonies and counter-melodies and learn to be a master like you in this area  Janne
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Hi, Janne !
This is just wonderful, sure one of your absolute best !! It is so Janne it just can be, which to me is often mystic and original chord progressions that lead one into unexpected places - I like that, Janne !
Hyvää Uutta Vuotta myös minulta !
Cheers Dani
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The double vocal section is REALLY nice. Important narrative though I think "gracious" isn't quite word needed. Lovely backing. Thanks Ray for your kind comment  Glad you liked the double vocals, I didn't edit them to be as tight as usually. You are probably right with "gracious", even in the original Finnish version the used word wasn't exactly the best one, but I couldn't come up with a better match to my idea. Janne
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